♥ 5 Steps To Happy Hummingbirds ♥
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Attracting And Feeding Hummingbirds
Copyright Notice
Hummingbirds In NJ And Beyond
How to Attract and Feed Hummingbirds
- Copyright Notice
- 1. Hummingbird Feeders
- Hummingbird Feeder Ratings and Rantings
- 2. Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
- My Supplies for Making Nectar
- Doing Some Work Outside Helps Save Cleanup
- Hummingbirds Like It COLD!
- The Sugar Water - Nectar Assembly Line
- Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Bottles Save Space
- Overwhelmed With Hummingbirds
- 3. Hummingbird Feeder Location
- 4. Hummingbird Feeder Maintenance
- If your feeders are looking dirty, it's time for a cleaning!
- Perfect Brushes for Hummingbird Feeders
- A bleach soak removes mold and debris.
- 5. Hummingbird Environments
- Landscaping for the Birds!
- Some Bird Books I Recommend
- Hummingbird Heaven
- License My Images
- Happy Hummingbirds in the NJ Pine Barrens
- HYPED UP HUMMINGBIRDS - Starring My Sugar Sand Sweeties
- Hummingbird Paintings On YouTube
- How Sweet It Is
- Lens Love Anyone?
- More Hummingbird Information
- All My Lenses
1. Hummingbird Feeders
Saucer type feeders with perches and ant motes are preferred
* Birds like to perch and survey their territory.* Sitting and resting during feeding saves precious energy.
* Perching helps young birds to socialize.
* Yellow flowers on feeders are unnecessary.
* They are said to attract ants.
* They make the feeder much harder to clean.
I don't like the idea of a disposable feeders, commercial premixed nectars or any other gimmicks that companies come up with just to make money! If you don't have time to clean out your feeders, just hang seasonal flowers that the hummingbirds enjoy. See the list below.
If you are serious about attracting your own little band of buddies, it's important to be vigilant about the filling and cleaning of several feeders right from the beginning. If you aren', they'll just come on down to my place! : - D I put out several feeders as soon as I see activity, because hummers are so territorial that if you only have one or two out, some will just move on if the competition is too tough. Read this lens to find out all the details of hummer happiness. If you have any questions, be sure to email me! I'd love to hear from you!

Hummingbird Feeders I Strongly Recommend!
Get more than one for nonstop action!
*Those fancy blown glass and decorative feeders that you may see online ads for are very hard to clean and fill! To my knowledge, they are far less desirable to the birds also. See my rantings and ravings below.
Hummingbird Feeder Ratings and Rantings

CLICK HERE: Avoid These Mistakes!
Here is a snapshot of some of my Hummingbird Feeder mistakes, discards and disasters. I'm sharing them with you, so you don't make the same errors! :-D
2. Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Never use premixed solutions!
*I repeat, do not use premixed solutions!* ESPECIALLY do not use any product with red dye in it.
* It's unnecessary and may harm the birds.
* At best it is useless.
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* Use four parts tap water to one part regular cane sugar (NO substitutes) for your nectar. It is the most widely accepted solution.
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*This mix approximates the average sucrose content of flowers favored by North American birds.
* Do not make it sweeter as it may harm the birds.
* No need to boil the water! It will last up to two weeks in the fridge.
* Use very hot tap water and dissolve the sugar by stirring or add it directly to the bottle and shake well.
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* A five parts water to one part sugar mixture increases hummingbird action at the feeders.
* Hummers seem to like it just as well.
* It decreases ant and other insect attraction.
* If you do this, stick with the four to one during times of migration, when they need more energy and need to put on weight.


My Supplies for Making Nectar

Doing Some Work Outside Helps Save Cleanup
Hummingbirds Like It COLD!
Making up 4 - 6 extra liters of nectar to keep in the fridge.
The Sugar Water - Nectar Assembly Line
Some Shots, Tips And Tricks I've Come Up
Keeping up with so many hungry hummers is a challenge and a joy. Here's some photos of my Hummingbird Nectar Operation. The first photo shows my supplies and empty Ocean Spray juice bottles. I now prefer them over soda bottles because they are heavier weight plastic, (#2) which is recyclable here, while most soda pop and water bottles are not - (#4 or no number). The bottles fit nicely in the fridge and I love their new cranberry juice products! Since I have over a dozen feeders, it does take some time to clean and refill them everyday. In between bleach soaks, I'm now filling them outside and cleaning them with my watering can and a small feeder brush. This helps minimize the sticky drips through the kitchen and saves time. See how nice the bottles (3 gallons worth) fit in my rather small refrigerator. The nectar will stay for up to two weeks there.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Bottles Save Space
Overwhelmed With Hummingbirds
One Hundred Pounds Of Sugar!

3. Hummingbird Feeder Location
Location is Key.
* The north side is most desirable. - It's in shade most of the day.* The south side isleast desirable. - It's in direct sun most of the day.
*Placing feeders under trees provides cover and eliminates direct sunlight. However, don't hang them directly from trees or objects where cats or other animals may gain access.
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* Pole hangers or shepherd's hooks are the safest and most versatile for hanging feeders.
* They can easily be moved to ideal locations.
* This keeps feeders a safe distance off ground - away from predators.
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* About ants:
* I have successfully used Raid Outdoor Ant Bait stakes at the base of the pole to eliminate ants. Ortho also makes one.
* I have sprayed PAM on poles at the base, near ground to eliminate ants.
* Do not spray up high where the oil could drip or come into contact with birds, however.
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* Position feeders near trees and plant cover.
* Hang feeders near windows so you can enjoy the hummingbirds'company.
* To be on the safe side, put decals and or sun catchers on windows near feeders to avoid collisions.
4. Hummingbird Feeder Maintenance
The return is well worth the effort.
* Maintaining your feeders is a commitment. ~ Your hummers will become dependent on your care.* Be prepared to continue with the upkeep. ~ Or plant a hummingbird garden, instead.
* Hummingbirds will starve rather than consume spoiled sugar water. ~ They will simply move on.
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* Discard any unconsumed or spoiled solution after a week's time, or if the water becomes cloudy
* Every filling, flush the feeder with hot tap water and scrub with a small feeder brush. Don't use soap, just hot water.
* Visually inspect the entire feeder for black mold! This is easily removed with a bleach soak.
* A bleach soak should be done on a regular basis, monthly or as needed.
* For a bleach soak, clean the feeder thoroughly with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water.
* Soak for one hour, then clean with your hands and a bottle or feeder brush.
* Rinse well with hot running water and refill.
* If the birds are not emptying your feeder between cleanings, just partially refill it.
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* If the sugar solution in your feeder turns cloudy, it's spoiled and needs to be replaced.
* If you get a lot of rain and the mixture gets diluted, you need to change it.
* When the temperature is over 80 degrees (F), clean and refill every two to four days.
* Over 90°F, it might spoil in one or two days.
If your feeders are looking dirty, it's time for a cleaning!
This easily removes the black stuff that builds up in the nooks and crannies.
* Bleach soak should be done on a regular basis ~ monthly or as needed.
* Clean the feeder thoroughly with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water.
* Soak one hour, then clean with a bottle or feeder brush.
* Rinse well with running water and refill.

Perfect Brushes for Hummingbird Feeders
Little Brushes for Little Places

A bleach soak removes mold and debris.
5. Hummingbird Environments
Make your yard hummer friendly
* Plant vegetation that attracts hummingbirds ~ to provide natural nectar and attract the insects they feed on.* Flowers they like are usually highly visible, with little fragrance.
* A hummer garden is also a great way to attract customers to your feeders!
* Don't use pesticides around hummingbird plants.
*Pesticides will also eliminate the small insects hummingbirds rely upon for protein.
*Ingesting sprayed flowers could sicken or kill the birds.
* Some Common Plants to Attract and Feed Hummingbirds ~
Trees and Shrubs ~ * Azalea * Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) * Cape Honeysuckle * Mt. Laurel * Mimosa
Vines ~ * Coral Honeysuckle * Cypress Vine * Morning Glory * Trumpet Creeper
Flowers ~ * Bee Balm (Monarda) * Canna * Cardinal Flower * Columbine * Foxglove * Hosta * Yucca * Fuchsia * Impatiens * Petunia * Various Salvia species

Landscaping for the Birds!
Hummingbird Poll
What's Your Opinion Of The Hummingbirds' Personality?
We all see things differently and I think it's a good thing. How do you view our little garden gems?
Some Bird Books I Recommend
Books About Hummers and Others From My Library
Hummingbird Heaven
An Ongoing Diary of Hummer Happenings
Happy Hummingbirds in the NJ Pine Barrens
The First Day of Summer 6/20/2008
I am LOVIN' IT!
HYPED UP HUMMINGBIRDS - Starring My Sugar Sand Sweeties
Feeding Frenzy ~ August 21st, 2008
I LOVE www.Hummingbirds.net
A Wealth of Information 24 / 7 at Your Fingertips!
- The Web's premier hummingbird site
- I visit this site often! Here you'll find answers to many common questions. Identification, science, feeding, migration maps, photo and art gallery links and much more are here for the education and delight of hummingbird enthusiasts.


How Sweet It Is
Lens Love Anyone?
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Wait....Please Let Me Know You Were Here!
Thank you for visiting my lens. Please let me know what you think about what's here and what else you'd like to see. If you like it, Please take a moment and give me a little love. I really appreciate your thoughts and love hearing from you. Wishing You Abundance Always, Sandy
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bikerministry
Jun 29, 2011 @ 2:10 pm | delete
- We're just getting started attracting hummingbirds. Thank you for the infog
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AzotaPhotography
Jun 22, 2011 @ 10:32 pm | delete
- Thanks for all the great info.
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spiritartist Jun 17, 2011 @ 2:01 pm | delete
- Thanks for the feedback PawPaw!
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pawpaw911 Jun 16, 2011 @ 7:51 pm | delete
- Very useful information. We have a couple of feeders, and enjoy watching them very much.
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HarmonyArtMom
Jan 30, 2011 @ 12:51 am | delete
- What a great lens, just full of helpful tips. I love feeding my hummers and it is a big part of our summer entertainment. I am adding this to my favorites, lensrolling to my bird lens, and blessing.
***Blessed by an Angel***
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by spiritartist
My name is Sandy Sandy. I am an artist, author, photographer and animal lover with years of ideas and experiences. I am passionate about just about everything... more »
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